Studie, mogelijk van een maanlucht 1886 - 1903

George Hendrik Breitner made this drawing with graphite on paper, sometime in his career. As a quick sketch, it dispenses with the conventions of fine art and is closer to a work of material exploration. The texture of the paper is visible, creating a toothy surface that catches the graphite. The artist likely used a soft pencil to achieve the range of tones, from light greys to darker blacks in the annotations and horizon line. The swift, assured strokes suggest confidence, a learned skill, like a jazz musician riffing on a familiar tune. Consider that mass-produced paper and pencils were available in the late 19th century, enabling artists to experiment with the effects of light and shadow, or record ideas quickly. This drawing is not just a depiction of a moonlit scene, but a testament to the industrial processes that made such spontaneous creativity possible, and also a step removed from traditional art materials. It is only through a close consideration of its making that we can appreciate Breitner's artistry.